Early life and education

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Edmunds graduated cum laude with her bachelor's degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in 1969. In 1971, Edmunds earned her Master of Arts in Education from the University of Chicago before earning her Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School in 1976.[1][2]

Notable cases

Elderly drug mule sentenced to prison term on his 90th birthday (2014)

On May 7, 2014, Senior Judge Edmunds sentenced Leo Sharp, a 90-year-old convicted drug courier, to three years in prison after he tried to bring almost 250 pounds of cocaine into Detroit, Michigan, for a Mexican drug ring. Sentenced on his birthday, Sharp threatened to commit suicide if he was sent to prison, calling it a "death sentence."[5]

In the underlying case, Sharp was charged along with eighteen other individuals involved in a drug ring that was taken down by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. In October 2013, Sharp reached a plea deal with prosecutors, pleading guilty to one drug conspiracy charge. He originally faced almost eighteen years in prison, but prosecutors trimmed that number to five years in prison, with a $500,000 fine. Due to Sharp's age and military record (he was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in World War II), Judge Edmunds lessened the sentence further still, sentencing him to three years in prison.[5]

Before delivering her sentence, Judge Edmunds said, "To ignore the extent of his involvement is to say to every drug organization that if you want to inoculate your organization from punishment, get an elderly person to do deliveries for you. It’s most unfortunate Mr. Sharp became involved in this." A relative volunteered to care for Sharp until it was time for him to report for his sentence.[5]

Following his conviction, attorneys for Kilpatrick requested that bond be granted so he could visit his family before heading to federal prison. In return, Kilpatrick's mother offered her house as collateral to the government. The request for bond was denied by Judge Edmunds, since precedent dictated that he could not be trusted. She said, "Despite (Kilpatrick's) repeated argument that he has fully complied with the bond conditions set by this court … the evidence is to the contrary."[7][8]

In October 2013, Kilpatrick received a twenty-eight-year prison sentence, or twenty-three years with good behavior. During the sentencing, Judge Edmunds admonished the former mayor, listing his wrongdoing and discussing the effect his behavior had on the City of Detroit.[9] Edmunds also said:

“

We're demanding transparency and accountability in our government. If there has been corruption in the past, there will be corruption no more.[10][11]

Underwear bomber case (2010)

Judge Edmunds presided in the case of underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who was eventually given four life sentences for his attempt to bring a bomb onto a plane headed for Detroit.

On January 19, 2010, Judge Edmunds ordered that attorneys for both sides in the case could not disclose pre-trial evidence to the public. Also, the Eastern District of MichiganU.S. Attorney's Office was ordered not to disclose witness statements in full except the names of the witnesses. Abdulmutallab was arrested for his role in the attempted hijacking plot of an international flight that made its descent towards Detroit Wayne County Metropolitan Airport on December 25, 2009.[12][13]

On October 12, 2011, the second day of Abdulmutallab's trial, the defense changed its plea just as the first witness was about to be called. After being sworn in by Judge Edmunds, Abdulmutallab waived his right to remain silent and admitted being guilty of all eight of the felony charges brought against him.[14]

On February 16, 2012, Judge Edmunds sentenced Abdulmutallab to four life sentences. During the sentencing, she said, "I believe the defendant poses a significant ongoing threat to the safety of American citizens everywhere."[15]